I have lived here forever and have never been flooded. Why do I need flood insurance?
The flood hazards shown on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps are based on the best information available at the time the maps were prepared. In many areas, hydraulic and hydrologic studies were conducted to reflect the long-term projection of flood risk. Because of the infrequent occurrence of flood events and the relatively short history of the NFIP, Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are not based solely on the past flooding occurrences. The fact that a flood hasn't occurred within memory doesn't mean one won't happen soon.

The 100-year flood is a relatively rare event (1% chance in any given year), but structures located in the floodplain have a significant chance (26%) of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30-year mortgage. For these reasons, flood insurance is required as a condition of receiving federal or federally backed financial assistance.

Show All Answers

1. What does it mean if my community does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
2. What are FEMA's requirements to remove land or a building from the 1% annual chance flood hazard area?
3. What is the 100-year flood?
4. I have lived here forever and have never been flooded. Why do I need flood insurance?
5. What elevation is used when rating a structure for a flood insurance policy?
6. My family has lived in our house for many years, and we had a big flood that was called the 100-year flood. We weren't damaged. Why do I need flood insurance?
7. My bank said I'm in the floodplain and have to buy insurance. I don't believe it. What can I do?
8. Who can prepare an Elevation Certificate?
9. What do I need to know if my building is in the floodplain?
10. If I own a repetitive loss property, are there grant funds available to mitigate against future flood losses?